2008 Gold Buffalo Bullion Coin
2008 American Gold Buffalo Bullion
The 2008 Gold Buffalo Coin marked the third year of the new 24 karat gold bullion series. The coin design is based on James Earle Fraser's 1913 Buffalo Nickel, Type 1. The popular design and .9999 purity of the gold composition have made this coin a collector favorite.
The one ounce bullion version of the coin was available through the US Mint's network of authorized purchasers. These bullion dealers purchase the coins directly from the US Mint at the spot price of gold plus a mark up. The coins are then sold to other bullion dealers, coin dealers, and the public. The 2008 Gold Buffalo coins sold at a relatively brisk pace throughout the year amidst strong demand for physical gold products.
In September 2008, the US Mint was forced to suspend sales of the 2008 Gold Buffalo bullion coins when demand exceeded supply and their inventories were depleted. This followed prior suspensions for other 2008 bullion products, such as the Silver Eagle and Gold Eagle bullion coins. The suspension lasted for more than one month. In November 2008, the US Mint announced that they would resume taking orders for the 2008 Gold Buffalo bullion coins until their final inventory was depleted. An additional 25,000 coins were sold before the inventory was exhausted.
The bullion coin mintage for 2008 exceeded the levels of 2007 with a total of 189,5000 coins produced. This was still below the lofty levels reached during the inaugural year of the series.
During 2008, the US Mint also produced collector versions of the coins. For more information see 2008 Proof Gold Buffalo and 2008-W Uncirculated Gold Buffalo.
2008 Gold Buffalo Specifications:
- Mintage: 189,500 (bullion version)
- Mint Mark: none
- Designer: James Earle Fraser
- Composition: 24 karat (.9999 ) fine gold
- Weight: 1.0001 troy ounce (31.1035 g)
- Diameter: 1.287 inches (32.70 mm)
- Thickness: 0.116 inches (2.95 mm)
